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The Mentor Relationship that Keeps on Giving

At Woman to Woman Mentoring, we believe that support is essential at every stage of life, whether you’re a young woman navigating the   challenges of jobs or college, or a seasoned professional contemplating what comes next after retirement. One of the most heartwarming outcomes of our mentoring programs is the lasting relationships that often develop beyond our initial framework. In this blog, we spotlight the inspiring connection between Aissatou and Adriane, who began their journey as mentee and mentor in our CORE Mentoring program. 

Originally from Guinea, Aissatou began her academic journey in the United States at Frederick Community College in 2015. This is where she learned about the opportunities with Woman to Woman Mentoring. It took her about a year to join but it was such a positive decision.  “I remember first hearing about it my first year at FCC, but I only decided to join it the following year in 2016 after learning more about it. I was a bit skeptical before joining because I was not really sure about what to expect. However, after my initial meeting with Amy and Tonya (the heads of the program at the time), the first impression that I got was genuine. They made me feel comfortable and I was looking forward to being a part of this mentoring program,” said Aissatou. 

Aissatou was paired with Adriane, one of the founding members of W2WM. Adriane sat on the Board and the Finance Committee and after retiring in 2015, she decided that it was time for her to become a mentor. “I told Tonya that if she could find me a French-speaking woman from West Africa, I would be more than happy to work with her, given my experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in Côte d’Ivoire in the 1970s. It took her less than a week to match me with Aissatou, and we’ve been fast friends ever since,” said Adriane.  

Aissatou began her educational journey earning her associate degree in STEM. It was during her second year of joining Woman to Woman Mentoring that she made a decision that would profoundly shape her path, and Adriane would be right there to support her. After earning her associate degree, Aissatou transferred to a college in Wisconsin, where she completed her bachelor’s in biology in 2020. Aissatou stated “I was blessed to be paired with an amazing mentor Adriane, who was truly intentional about her participation in the program and because of that we built a genuine relationship that I will forever cherish. While I was at FCC pursing my associate degree, she guided and assisted me with my college applications for my bachelor’s degree, as well as, finding volunteering opportunities at Frederick Memorial Hospital, now Frederick Health, and local NGOs” 

As Aissatou transitioned, Adriane consistently reached out, even sending her a care package. Aissatou shared her progress—big and small—as she completed college.  After returning to Maryland, Adriane continued to support her in her new role as an Associate Scientist. “She helped me practice for interviews and always encouraged me to advocate for myself,” Aissatou shared. 

 

It took Adriane nine years to become a mentor, but her belief in Woman to Woman Mentoring has been strong from the start. When asked

 about any surprises as a mentor, she said, “I was amazed at how quickly the mentees bonded and became supportive of each other.” Aissatou remarked, “What surprised me was the program’s commitment to guiding and providing resources. Even after I graduated and left Frederick, they still wanted to know how I was doing. It meant so much to know they cared.”  

We asked Aissatou and Adriane for their advice to mentees and mentors who are considering joining the program but feel nervous. Aissatou encouraged potential mentees to “keep an open mind and be themselves during the initial interview. Be honest about your expectations for the mentoring experience; this will help the program find the best match for you.” Adriane added her advice for hesitant mentors: “Just do it. We all have something valuable to offer.” 

Adriane and Aissatou are exactly what we hope for when our pairs “graduate” from our cohorts. We wish for them to build lasting relationships, foster a supportive community, and maintain ongoing support. To this day, they stay in touch and fully embrace what our organization represents! 

Looking to find your own support system as you navigate through life? Check us out at www.womantowomanmentoring.org  

 

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